Major snowfall expected; up to 7 inches in parts of region

The first significant snow of the season is expected overnight, with some parts of west-central Illinois seeing up to 7 inches of accumulation.

The National Weather Service said a storm system will move into the area about 6 p.m. today and leave heavy accumulation as it moves to the east.

Cass and Pike counties are expected to see slight snow, totaling an inch to 2 inches, but accumulations will start to ramp up as the storm moves into Morgan County and other counties east.

Jacksonville will likely see 2 to 4 inches by Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

It’s a line from Greene County south that is most at risk, according to the weather service. Snowfall totals in Greene, Macoupin and Jersey counties could be 5 to 7 inches with even more farther south.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for Morgan and Sangamon counties. Calhoun, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin counties are under a winter storm warning from 6 tonight through 6 p.m. Thursday.

A winter storm warning means that heavy snowfall of 6 inches or more is expected. The rapid accumulation of snow will make travel extremely difficult, if not impossible, according to the National Weather Service.